By Hosea Parah, Abuja
Following the recent events at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Suleja, Niger State, where a significant number of inmates escaped due to severe damage caused by heavy rainfall, the Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) in partnership with the National Civil Society Forum on Detention and Corrections has called for immediate action to address the crisis facing Nigeria’s correctional facilities.
In a press conference on Friday, the Executive Director PRAWA, Dr. Uju Agomoh, emphasized that the destruction of infrastructure and subsequent escape of inmates highlight the urgent need for enhanced security measures and modernization of the correctional system in Nigeria. The recommendations and call to action put forth by PRAWA and the National Civil Society Forum are aimed at preventing future incidents and ensuring the safety and security of inmates, staff, and the wider community.
The first recommendation made is the modernization of correctional facilities. The outdated colonial-era infrastructure is vulnerable to damage, as evident from the recent incident in Suleja. Urgent action is needed to replace aging facilities with modern ones equipped with advanced security measures and technology.
The second recommendation is the immediate deployment and utilization of advanced monitoring devices as stipulated in Section 28 of the Nigeria Correctional Service Act 2019. This includes observatory towers, closed-circuit television, body scanners, and electrically activated alarm systems. These measures are essential for protecting, controlling, and safeguarding correctional activities, thereby preventing future escapes and enhancing overall security.
The establishment of armed squads and intelligence units within correctional facilities is the third recommendation. These specialized units, as mandated by the Act, are crucial for enhancing security, surveillance, monitoring, and intelligence gathering. Adequate training and equipping of these units will enable them to respond swiftly to security threats and prevent unauthorized access or escapes.
Addressing overcrowding is the fourth recommendation. Overcrowding remains a persistent challenge in Nigeria’s correctional facilities, exacerbating security risks and compromising rehabilitation efforts. Compliance with Section 12 of the Act, which requires notification of relevant authorities and prompt action to rectify overcrowding, is imperative. State controllers, in collaboration with the correctional service, must notify the Chief Judge, Attorney General, and other relevant bodies within the stipulated time frame to effectively address overcrowding.
Upon receiving notifications regarding overcrowding, the notified bodies must take immediate and decisive action to rectify the situation within the specified timeframe. This may include implementing alternative sentencing measures to reduce inmate populations and alleviate overcrowding pressures.
IPRAWA and the National Civil Society Forum emphasize the gravity of the crisis facing Nigeria’s correctional system. Immediate and decisive action is required to address the root causes and prevent future incidents. They urge the relevant authorities at both the federal and state levels to prioritize the effective implementation of the Nigeria Correctional Service Act 2019 and take urgent steps to modernize correctional facilities and address overcrowding challenges in line with the provisions of the Act.
The call for action aims to ensure the safety and security of inmates, staff, and the wider community, as well as to improve the overall functioning of Nigeria’s correctional system.